Preheat oven to moderate 180oC.
Brush a deep, 20cm round cake tin with melted butter or oil, line base
and side with paper, grease paper.
Slice one apple in thin rings and
finely chop the other one. Place rings of apple in the base of cake tin,
overlapping each piece. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Using electric beaters, beat butter
and sugar in small mixing bowl until light and creamy.
Add eggs gradually, beating thoroughly
after each addition. Add essence, beat until just combined.
Transfer mixture to large mixing bowl,
add chopped apple.
Using a metal spoon, fold in the
sifted flour and the cardamom alternately with the milk. Stir until just
combine and the mixture is almost smooth.
Spoon mixture into prepared tin;
smooth surface. Bake for 55 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when
inserted in centre of cake.
Leave in tin 20 minutes before turning
onto wire rack to cool.